Operation Rah-e-Rast (Swat)
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Fazlullah’s close associate arrested
NOWSHERA: A close aide to the Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah was arrested by law-enforcement agencies and the security forces in a joint action on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway on Monday, official sources said.
The sources said the militant commander identified as Abdur Rahman alias Rahman had come to Mardan through Buner district and was heading for some hideout of militants when he was arrested.
They said he was the leader of Taliban logistic cell in the Swat valley when the militants were calling the shots in the area. He used to coordinate activities between dreaded Swati militant commander, Ibne Amin and Fazlullah, officials said. He was also accused of providing logistics support to militants carrying out sabotage acts in down country, the sources said. He would identify targets to attackers affiliated with the banned TTP, the official said. Soon after his arrest, he was shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation.
NOWSHERA: A close aide to the Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah was arrested by law-enforcement agencies and the security forces in a joint action on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway on Monday, official sources said.
The sources said the militant commander identified as Abdur Rahman alias Rahman had come to Mardan through Buner district and was heading for some hideout of militants when he was arrested.
They said he was the leader of Taliban logistic cell in the Swat valley when the militants were calling the shots in the area. He used to coordinate activities between dreaded Swati militant commander, Ibne Amin and Fazlullah, officials said. He was also accused of providing logistics support to militants carrying out sabotage acts in down country, the sources said. He would identify targets to attackers affiliated with the banned TTP, the official said. Soon after his arrest, he was shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation.
fatman17
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Locating the Swat operation
By Zubair Torwali
Officially known as Operation Rah-e-Rast, the military offensive in Swat has now completed a full year. It is indeed this offensive that earned credibility for the powerful army chief of Pakistan, and – to some extent – for the democratic government as well. The applause aside, let us locate the offensive with the people of Swat.
When asked about the effectiveness of the offensive, Mukhtar Yousafzai – head of the independent Swat ‘qaumi jirga’ and a seasoned political activist — analyses the situation as follows: “In Swat, it was the state agencies that groomed, promoted and protected the terrorists. They were given full liberty to use modern means of propaganda and power such as FM radios [and] sophisticated weapons and had full backing. It was designed to make Swat another Afghanistan. The local leadership was either killed or demoralised. Journalism was banned and free voices were choked. Swat was made a safe haven and, in the end, it was handed over to the Taliban to establish their writ in the way they liked. Swat thus became a paradise turned into hell. But the brave people of Swat did not surrender.”
Continuing, Yousafzai says, “They spread out … organised demonstrations, appealing to the civil society within [the country] and the world outside by demonstrating in Washington, Toronto, London and New York. They circulated memorandums to the embassies of all the nations. Indigenous writers came out and used the might of their pens to bring into the limelight the plight of the people of Swat. Owing to the efforts of the people of Swat, the army decided to launch a third offensive against the Taliban.” He says the two phases of the offensive before Operation Rah-e-Rast were “merely war games”.
“They were never aimed at eliminating militancy from the valley. It is this third phase, known as Rah-e-Rast, that has some credibility.”
Asked to elaborate Yousafzai’s statement on credibility, Mukhtar Lala says, “The Taliban are on the run, their strongholds have been dismantled to a great extent, their leadership and network stand afflicted with remarkable harm and they are now isolated.”
However, Mukhtar is extremely worried about the recent wave of target killings that have targeted some important figures of civil society, such as members of the Swat qaumi jirga and other peace committees. “The peace in Swat is too fragile to rely on … it is suspicious and vulnerable. The blowing up of CD shops and the circulation of threatening letters by the Taliban have again frightened the people, who consider these latest developments as the beginning of a new rising in the valley,” he says.
An internationally recognised researcher on Swat, Dr Sultan-e-Rome says of the operation, “A failure … the fresh wave of target killings right under the nose of the army is a testament … [the decision to] force civilians to form lashkars and be their own watchmen during the night, an increase in the number of army posts and frequent checking and curfews are other testaments.”
However, Rohul Amin, a lecturer in Swat, says. “There is marked improvement in the Swat situation, but there is [still] a sense of fear and insecurity among the people after the new spate of target killings of peace committee members. These attacks will scare tourists away during this season as well. Apart from this, business is picking up and schools and colleges are open. There is the writ of the government. People are satisfied with the success of the operation,” says
Ihsanul Haq Haqqani, a senior journalist from Swat, aptly says, “No doubt, the operation was a success, but the post-operation policy is enough to convert the success into a horrible failure. The civil administration and the political leadership are happy to keep the army engaged in the aftershocks. The army should conclude its job at the earliest.”
Even after a year, one wonders how the trust of the people can be reinforced. Mukhtar Lala has a remedy. “The target killings and the bomb blasts are a result of security lapses. The army is Swat has forgotten its core concern – the security – and is now involved in other rehabilitation activities, which are not their responsibility.” He says, “The military should design measures that would improve its credibility by dealing in a people-friendly manner with civilians. It should be open to criticism and counselling by the civil society of Swat. The media must not be controlled through the ISPR. The Maliks and Khans of Swat should gather on a single platform above party affiliations and unite for the sake of over 1.6 million people of Swat.” He says the Swat qaumi jirga would be organised in each village and at the union council level.
Whether the elimination of militancy from Swat is possible or not, the people of this scenic valley are determined to assist the military in their fight against the militants if the army performs its duty wholeheartedly and builds a better relationship with the people. Unnecessary measures and humiliation of the general public by security personnel would be counterproductive. While the people of Swat have not surrendered to the Taliban, the state is prompting the population of the valley to lose trust.
On the current situation, Ziauddin Yousafzai, the spokesman for the Swat qaumi jirga says, “Over the last year, security forces have been successful in restoring the writ of the government. The prevailing peace is borrowed and temporary. It is tranquillity in the shadows of guns. Peace without guns is our dream and aim. That needs a clear vision and good intentions on the part of the state institutions and the people.”
Zubair Torwali is a freelance analyst and activist based in Swat where he heads Centre for Education and Development. He can be reached at, ztorwali@gmail.com
---------- Post added at 03:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------
Locating the Swat operation
By Zubair Torwali
Officially known as Operation Rah-e-Rast, the military offensive in Swat has now completed a full year. It is indeed this offensive that earned credibility for the powerful army chief of Pakistan, and to some extent for the democratic government as well. The applause aside, let us locate the offensive with the people of Swat.
When asked about the effectiveness of the offensive, Mukhtar Yousafzai head of the independent Swat qaumi jirga and a seasoned political activist analyses the situation as follows: In Swat, it was the state agencies that groomed, promoted and protected the terrorists. They were given full liberty to use modern means of propaganda and power such as FM radios [and] sophisticated weapons and had full backing. It was designed to make Swat another Afghanistan. The local leadership was either killed or demoralised. Journalism was banned and free voices were choked. Swat was made a safe haven and, in the end, it was handed over to the Taliban to establish their writ in the way they liked. Swat thus became a paradise turned into hell. But the brave people of Swat did not surrender.
Continuing, Yousafzai says, They spread out organised demonstrations, appealing to the civil society within [the country] and the world outside by demonstrating in Washington, Toronto, London and New York. They circulated memorandums to the embassies of all the nations. Indigenous writers came out and used the might of their pens to bring into the limelight the plight of the people of Swat. Owing to the efforts of the people of Swat, the army decided to launch a third offensive against the Taliban. He says the two phases of the offensive before Operation Rah-e-Rast were merely war games.
They were never aimed at eliminating militancy from the valley. It is this third phase, known as Rah-e-Rast, that has some credibility.
Asked to elaborate Yousafzais statement on credibility, Mukhtar Lala says, The Taliban are on the run, their strongholds have been dismantled to a great extent, their leadership and network stand afflicted with remarkable harm and they are now isolated.
However, Mukhtar is extremely worried about the recent wave of target killings that have targeted some important figures of civil society, such as members of the Swat qaumi jirga and other peace committees. The peace in Swat is too fragile to rely on it is suspicious and vulnerable. The blowing up of CD shops and the circulation of threatening letters by the Taliban have again frightened the people, who consider these latest developments as the beginning of a new rising in the valley, he says.
An internationally recognised researcher on Swat, Dr Sultan-e-Rome says of the operation, A failure the fresh wave of target killings right under the nose of the army is a testament [the decision to] force civilians to form lashkars and be their own watchmen during the night, an increase in the number of army posts and frequent checking and curfews are other testaments.
However, Rohul Amin, a lecturer in Swat, says. There is marked improvement in the Swat situation, but there is [still] a sense of fear and insecurity among the people after the new spate of target killings of peace committee members. These attacks will scare tourists away during this season as well. Apart from this, business is picking up and schools and colleges are open. There is the writ of the government. People are satisfied with the success of the operation, says
Ihsanul Haq Haqqani, a senior journalist from Swat, aptly says, No doubt, the operation was a success, but the post-operation policy is enough to convert the success into a horrible failure. The civil administration and the political leadership are happy to keep the army engaged in the aftershocks. The army should conclude its job at the earliest.
Even after a year, one wonders how the trust of the people can be reinforced. Mukhtar Lala has a remedy. The target killings and the bomb blasts are a result of security lapses. The army is Swat has forgotten its core concern the security and is now involved in other rehabilitation activities, which are not their responsibility. He says, The military should design measures that would improve its credibility by dealing in a people-friendly manner with civilians. It should be open to criticism and counselling by the civil society of Swat. The media must not be controlled through the ISPR. The Maliks and Khans of Swat should gather on a single platform above party affiliations and unite for the sake of over 1.6 million people of Swat. He says the Swat qaumi jirga would be organised in each village and at the union council level.
Whether the elimination of militancy from Swat is possible or not, the people of this scenic valley are determined to assist the military in their fight against the militants if the army performs its duty wholeheartedly and builds a better relationship with the people. Unnecessary measures and humiliation of the general public by security personnel would be counterproductive. While the people of Swat have not surrendered to the Taliban, the state is prompting the population of the valley to lose trust.
On the current situation, Ziauddin Yousafzai, the spokesman for the Swat qaumi jirga says, Over the last year, security forces have been successful in restoring the writ of the government. The prevailing peace is borrowed and temporary. It is tranquillity in the shadows of guns. Peace without guns is our dream and aim. That needs a clear vision and good intentions on the part of the state institutions and the people.
Zubair Torwali is a freelance analyst and activist based in Swat where he heads Centre for Education and Development. He can be reached at, ztorwali@gmail.com
By Zubair Torwali
Officially known as Operation Rah-e-Rast, the military offensive in Swat has now completed a full year. It is indeed this offensive that earned credibility for the powerful army chief of Pakistan, and – to some extent – for the democratic government as well. The applause aside, let us locate the offensive with the people of Swat.
When asked about the effectiveness of the offensive, Mukhtar Yousafzai – head of the independent Swat ‘qaumi jirga’ and a seasoned political activist — analyses the situation as follows: “In Swat, it was the state agencies that groomed, promoted and protected the terrorists. They were given full liberty to use modern means of propaganda and power such as FM radios [and] sophisticated weapons and had full backing. It was designed to make Swat another Afghanistan. The local leadership was either killed or demoralised. Journalism was banned and free voices were choked. Swat was made a safe haven and, in the end, it was handed over to the Taliban to establish their writ in the way they liked. Swat thus became a paradise turned into hell. But the brave people of Swat did not surrender.”
Continuing, Yousafzai says, “They spread out … organised demonstrations, appealing to the civil society within [the country] and the world outside by demonstrating in Washington, Toronto, London and New York. They circulated memorandums to the embassies of all the nations. Indigenous writers came out and used the might of their pens to bring into the limelight the plight of the people of Swat. Owing to the efforts of the people of Swat, the army decided to launch a third offensive against the Taliban.” He says the two phases of the offensive before Operation Rah-e-Rast were “merely war games”.
“They were never aimed at eliminating militancy from the valley. It is this third phase, known as Rah-e-Rast, that has some credibility.”
Asked to elaborate Yousafzai’s statement on credibility, Mukhtar Lala says, “The Taliban are on the run, their strongholds have been dismantled to a great extent, their leadership and network stand afflicted with remarkable harm and they are now isolated.”
However, Mukhtar is extremely worried about the recent wave of target killings that have targeted some important figures of civil society, such as members of the Swat qaumi jirga and other peace committees. “The peace in Swat is too fragile to rely on … it is suspicious and vulnerable. The blowing up of CD shops and the circulation of threatening letters by the Taliban have again frightened the people, who consider these latest developments as the beginning of a new rising in the valley,” he says.
An internationally recognised researcher on Swat, Dr Sultan-e-Rome says of the operation, “A failure … the fresh wave of target killings right under the nose of the army is a testament … [the decision to] force civilians to form lashkars and be their own watchmen during the night, an increase in the number of army posts and frequent checking and curfews are other testaments.”
However, Rohul Amin, a lecturer in Swat, says. “There is marked improvement in the Swat situation, but there is [still] a sense of fear and insecurity among the people after the new spate of target killings of peace committee members. These attacks will scare tourists away during this season as well. Apart from this, business is picking up and schools and colleges are open. There is the writ of the government. People are satisfied with the success of the operation,” says
Ihsanul Haq Haqqani, a senior journalist from Swat, aptly says, “No doubt, the operation was a success, but the post-operation policy is enough to convert the success into a horrible failure. The civil administration and the political leadership are happy to keep the army engaged in the aftershocks. The army should conclude its job at the earliest.”
Even after a year, one wonders how the trust of the people can be reinforced. Mukhtar Lala has a remedy. “The target killings and the bomb blasts are a result of security lapses. The army is Swat has forgotten its core concern – the security – and is now involved in other rehabilitation activities, which are not their responsibility.” He says, “The military should design measures that would improve its credibility by dealing in a people-friendly manner with civilians. It should be open to criticism and counselling by the civil society of Swat. The media must not be controlled through the ISPR. The Maliks and Khans of Swat should gather on a single platform above party affiliations and unite for the sake of over 1.6 million people of Swat.” He says the Swat qaumi jirga would be organised in each village and at the union council level.
Whether the elimination of militancy from Swat is possible or not, the people of this scenic valley are determined to assist the military in their fight against the militants if the army performs its duty wholeheartedly and builds a better relationship with the people. Unnecessary measures and humiliation of the general public by security personnel would be counterproductive. While the people of Swat have not surrendered to the Taliban, the state is prompting the population of the valley to lose trust.
On the current situation, Ziauddin Yousafzai, the spokesman for the Swat qaumi jirga says, “Over the last year, security forces have been successful in restoring the writ of the government. The prevailing peace is borrowed and temporary. It is tranquillity in the shadows of guns. Peace without guns is our dream and aim. That needs a clear vision and good intentions on the part of the state institutions and the people.”
Zubair Torwali is a freelance analyst and activist based in Swat where he heads Centre for Education and Development. He can be reached at, ztorwali@gmail.com
---------- Post added at 03:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------
Locating the Swat operation
By Zubair Torwali
Officially known as Operation Rah-e-Rast, the military offensive in Swat has now completed a full year. It is indeed this offensive that earned credibility for the powerful army chief of Pakistan, and to some extent for the democratic government as well. The applause aside, let us locate the offensive with the people of Swat.
When asked about the effectiveness of the offensive, Mukhtar Yousafzai head of the independent Swat qaumi jirga and a seasoned political activist analyses the situation as follows: In Swat, it was the state agencies that groomed, promoted and protected the terrorists. They were given full liberty to use modern means of propaganda and power such as FM radios [and] sophisticated weapons and had full backing. It was designed to make Swat another Afghanistan. The local leadership was either killed or demoralised. Journalism was banned and free voices were choked. Swat was made a safe haven and, in the end, it was handed over to the Taliban to establish their writ in the way they liked. Swat thus became a paradise turned into hell. But the brave people of Swat did not surrender.
Continuing, Yousafzai says, They spread out organised demonstrations, appealing to the civil society within [the country] and the world outside by demonstrating in Washington, Toronto, London and New York. They circulated memorandums to the embassies of all the nations. Indigenous writers came out and used the might of their pens to bring into the limelight the plight of the people of Swat. Owing to the efforts of the people of Swat, the army decided to launch a third offensive against the Taliban. He says the two phases of the offensive before Operation Rah-e-Rast were merely war games.
They were never aimed at eliminating militancy from the valley. It is this third phase, known as Rah-e-Rast, that has some credibility.
Asked to elaborate Yousafzais statement on credibility, Mukhtar Lala says, The Taliban are on the run, their strongholds have been dismantled to a great extent, their leadership and network stand afflicted with remarkable harm and they are now isolated.
However, Mukhtar is extremely worried about the recent wave of target killings that have targeted some important figures of civil society, such as members of the Swat qaumi jirga and other peace committees. The peace in Swat is too fragile to rely on it is suspicious and vulnerable. The blowing up of CD shops and the circulation of threatening letters by the Taliban have again frightened the people, who consider these latest developments as the beginning of a new rising in the valley, he says.
An internationally recognised researcher on Swat, Dr Sultan-e-Rome says of the operation, A failure the fresh wave of target killings right under the nose of the army is a testament [the decision to] force civilians to form lashkars and be their own watchmen during the night, an increase in the number of army posts and frequent checking and curfews are other testaments.
However, Rohul Amin, a lecturer in Swat, says. There is marked improvement in the Swat situation, but there is [still] a sense of fear and insecurity among the people after the new spate of target killings of peace committee members. These attacks will scare tourists away during this season as well. Apart from this, business is picking up and schools and colleges are open. There is the writ of the government. People are satisfied with the success of the operation, says
Ihsanul Haq Haqqani, a senior journalist from Swat, aptly says, No doubt, the operation was a success, but the post-operation policy is enough to convert the success into a horrible failure. The civil administration and the political leadership are happy to keep the army engaged in the aftershocks. The army should conclude its job at the earliest.
Even after a year, one wonders how the trust of the people can be reinforced. Mukhtar Lala has a remedy. The target killings and the bomb blasts are a result of security lapses. The army is Swat has forgotten its core concern the security and is now involved in other rehabilitation activities, which are not their responsibility. He says, The military should design measures that would improve its credibility by dealing in a people-friendly manner with civilians. It should be open to criticism and counselling by the civil society of Swat. The media must not be controlled through the ISPR. The Maliks and Khans of Swat should gather on a single platform above party affiliations and unite for the sake of over 1.6 million people of Swat. He says the Swat qaumi jirga would be organised in each village and at the union council level.
Whether the elimination of militancy from Swat is possible or not, the people of this scenic valley are determined to assist the military in their fight against the militants if the army performs its duty wholeheartedly and builds a better relationship with the people. Unnecessary measures and humiliation of the general public by security personnel would be counterproductive. While the people of Swat have not surrendered to the Taliban, the state is prompting the population of the valley to lose trust.
On the current situation, Ziauddin Yousafzai, the spokesman for the Swat qaumi jirga says, Over the last year, security forces have been successful in restoring the writ of the government. The prevailing peace is borrowed and temporary. It is tranquillity in the shadows of guns. Peace without guns is our dream and aim. That needs a clear vision and good intentions on the part of the state institutions and the people.
Zubair Torwali is a freelance analyst and activist based in Swat where he heads Centre for Education and Development. He can be reached at, ztorwali@gmail.com
fatman17
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Locals say Swat security situation ‘improved’: survey
* Blame previous provincial government for ‘not effectively fighting’ militancy
Staff Report
PESHAWAR: A vast majority of Swat residents have described the security situation in the region after the military operation as “improved” while blaming the previous provincial government of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal for “not effectively fighting” militancy, a survey released on Friday revealed.
According to the survey by Peshawar-based Regional Institute of Policy Research and Training (RIPORT), the use of illegal FM radio stations, illiteracy, religion and the new governance system introduced in 2001 had contributed to the growth of militancy in the valley where the military used full force to evict the Taliban last year.
The survey, conducted in February and March, involved responses from 384 randomly selected households scattered over 16 union councils of the district and its design had a five percent margin of error. It covers a large area of the drivers of conflict and provides a comprehensive coverage of subjects that are divided into: strategic communication, development, foreign intervention, governance, security, social tradition, religion and poverty.
Khalid Aziz, the author of the survey, said, “The survey report is a timely warning to the government to improve security and provide reforms to deal with the situation in Swat or the cycle of death and destruction that has now been brought under control will re-emerge with a vengeance once the military withdraws.” An overwhelming majority of Swat residents - 78 percent of the respondents - said the security situation had “improved” after the military deployment, while just nine percent looked dissatisfied with the current situation, the survey revealed.
The survey found 78 percent respondents agreeing that illegal FM stations helped spread militancy, while 56 percent linked communications’ effectiveness to the spread of the Taliban in the district. The survey found that 75 residents believed the Friday sermon was used for “mobilisation of support for militancy” while 19 percent disagreed.
* Blame previous provincial government for ‘not effectively fighting’ militancy
Staff Report
PESHAWAR: A vast majority of Swat residents have described the security situation in the region after the military operation as “improved” while blaming the previous provincial government of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal for “not effectively fighting” militancy, a survey released on Friday revealed.
According to the survey by Peshawar-based Regional Institute of Policy Research and Training (RIPORT), the use of illegal FM radio stations, illiteracy, religion and the new governance system introduced in 2001 had contributed to the growth of militancy in the valley where the military used full force to evict the Taliban last year.
The survey, conducted in February and March, involved responses from 384 randomly selected households scattered over 16 union councils of the district and its design had a five percent margin of error. It covers a large area of the drivers of conflict and provides a comprehensive coverage of subjects that are divided into: strategic communication, development, foreign intervention, governance, security, social tradition, religion and poverty.
Khalid Aziz, the author of the survey, said, “The survey report is a timely warning to the government to improve security and provide reforms to deal with the situation in Swat or the cycle of death and destruction that has now been brought under control will re-emerge with a vengeance once the military withdraws.” An overwhelming majority of Swat residents - 78 percent of the respondents - said the security situation had “improved” after the military deployment, while just nine percent looked dissatisfied with the current situation, the survey revealed.
The survey found 78 percent respondents agreeing that illegal FM stations helped spread militancy, while 56 percent linked communications’ effectiveness to the spread of the Taliban in the district. The survey found that 75 residents believed the Friday sermon was used for “mobilisation of support for militancy” while 19 percent disagreed.
ajpirzada
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Tourism industry revives as Swat regains peace
ISLAMABAD (May 17 2010): Swat, 'the Switzerland of the east', has started to cast its spell yet again as militants in Malakand Division have been routed out completely and tourism industry is gradually gearing up to meet the expectations of tourists thronging from rest of the country.
Majeed Saqib, the owner of a 2-star hotel in Swat told APP that until now, the tourism industry had been worst in the region as militants occupied hotels and converted them into their strongholds.
"They ransacked every hotel, looted furniture and attached paraphernalia and converted the region in a ghost town", he said. A swift and decisive army action saw Taliban retreating to their grooves. Army took up the menace head on and rendered supreme sacrifices. The mass exodus of population as a result of army operation had been the shortest one in the history of mankind.
The people managed to go back to their native towns after the operation. But the ordeal of tourism industry was not yet over as people from rest of the country were reluctant to go and see the rise of a new dawn.
Hotel owners association took stock of the situation and announced remedial measures. Association removed the price tag and stay in any hotel was declared free for a stipulated period of time. Free pick and drop and gifts for children were also arranged for and media organisations were invited to ascertain the situation themselves.
Resultantly, the region saw a surge in tourism. Ahmad Ali a tourist from Lahore, said revival of tourism in Swat is significant in more than one ways. It shows resilience of Pakistani nation against odds. "The revival of tourism suggests our nation will pay any price to safeguard its lifestyle", he concluded.
Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]
ISLAMABAD (May 17 2010): Swat, 'the Switzerland of the east', has started to cast its spell yet again as militants in Malakand Division have been routed out completely and tourism industry is gradually gearing up to meet the expectations of tourists thronging from rest of the country.
Majeed Saqib, the owner of a 2-star hotel in Swat told APP that until now, the tourism industry had been worst in the region as militants occupied hotels and converted them into their strongholds.
"They ransacked every hotel, looted furniture and attached paraphernalia and converted the region in a ghost town", he said. A swift and decisive army action saw Taliban retreating to their grooves. Army took up the menace head on and rendered supreme sacrifices. The mass exodus of population as a result of army operation had been the shortest one in the history of mankind.
The people managed to go back to their native towns after the operation. But the ordeal of tourism industry was not yet over as people from rest of the country were reluctant to go and see the rise of a new dawn.
Hotel owners association took stock of the situation and announced remedial measures. Association removed the price tag and stay in any hotel was declared free for a stipulated period of time. Free pick and drop and gifts for children were also arranged for and media organisations were invited to ascertain the situation themselves.
Resultantly, the region saw a surge in tourism. Ahmad Ali a tourist from Lahore, said revival of tourism in Swat is significant in more than one ways. It shows resilience of Pakistani nation against odds. "The revival of tourism suggests our nation will pay any price to safeguard its lifestyle", he concluded.
Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]
Janbaz
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Three Taliban commanders killed in Pakistan
Pakistani troops today killed three Taliban commanders in the country's northwest even as authorities warned wanted rebels in the restive Swat district to surrender by May 20.
Acting on a tip-off from local residents, security forces launched an operation in Koz Shore area of Kabal sub-district in Swat and gunned down Taliban commanders Umer Sadiq, Rehmat Ali and Naik Muhammad.
Suicide vests and wireless sets were recovered from the possession of the dead militants.
The three commanders had taken shelter in a jungle and their location was disclosed by local resident.
Troops cordoned off the area before launching their operation. Military sources said Umer Sadiq was a close associate of absconding Taliban commander Umer Rehman alias Faatih and was wanted in connection with several crimes.
In a separate development, Col Waheed Jan ruled out the possibility of any extension in the deadline for wanted militants to surrender.
He made it clear that the rebels must surrender to the security forces by May 20.
Jan made the remarks while addressing relatives of the absconding militants in Kabal sub-district.
It is in the interest of the families of the militants that they surrender as non compliance will lead to strict action being taken against them, Jan said.
The militants have no option but to surrender, he added.
About 60 militants have surrendered to the security forces in recent days.
Three Taliban commanders killed in Pakistan- Hindustan Times
Pakistani troops today killed three Taliban commanders in the country's northwest even as authorities warned wanted rebels in the restive Swat district to surrender by May 20.
Acting on a tip-off from local residents, security forces launched an operation in Koz Shore area of Kabal sub-district in Swat and gunned down Taliban commanders Umer Sadiq, Rehmat Ali and Naik Muhammad.
Suicide vests and wireless sets were recovered from the possession of the dead militants.
The three commanders had taken shelter in a jungle and their location was disclosed by local resident.
Troops cordoned off the area before launching their operation. Military sources said Umer Sadiq was a close associate of absconding Taliban commander Umer Rehman alias Faatih and was wanted in connection with several crimes.
In a separate development, Col Waheed Jan ruled out the possibility of any extension in the deadline for wanted militants to surrender.
He made it clear that the rebels must surrender to the security forces by May 20.
Jan made the remarks while addressing relatives of the absconding militants in Kabal sub-district.
It is in the interest of the families of the militants that they surrender as non compliance will lead to strict action being taken against them, Jan said.
The militants have no option but to surrender, he added.
About 60 militants have surrendered to the security forces in recent days.
Three Taliban commanders killed in Pakistan- Hindustan Times
Janbaz
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Three top militants killed in Swat
SWAT – Three key militant commanders were killed in a clash with security forces on Tuesday in Swat while suicide jackets, wireless sets and ammunition were recovered from their possession. According to details, local people informed the security forces about the presence of the militants in the mountains of Shoor area of Tehsil Matta. In the meantime, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces.
While taking an abrupt action against the militants in a clash with security forces, three militants commanders were killed. The killed militants were identified as Umer Sadiq, Qari Rehmat Ali and Nek Mohammad. The security forces recovered arms and ammunition, wireless sets, and suicide jackets. The killed commander Umer Sadiq was the close aide of another key commander Umer Rehman Fateh.
Three top militants killed in Swat | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online
SWAT – Three key militant commanders were killed in a clash with security forces on Tuesday in Swat while suicide jackets, wireless sets and ammunition were recovered from their possession. According to details, local people informed the security forces about the presence of the militants in the mountains of Shoor area of Tehsil Matta. In the meantime, the militants opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces.
While taking an abrupt action against the militants in a clash with security forces, three militants commanders were killed. The killed militants were identified as Umer Sadiq, Qari Rehmat Ali and Nek Mohammad. The security forces recovered arms and ammunition, wireless sets, and suicide jackets. The killed commander Umer Sadiq was the close aide of another key commander Umer Rehman Fateh.
Three top militants killed in Swat | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online
air marshal
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Key militant commander killed in Swat
Security forces killed key militant commander in Swat offensive. According to sources, on a tip-off forces launched a search operation in Shakardara area in Matta. Militant commander Sher Rehman Gujjar was killed during a clash between security forces and militants while others managed to flee.
Key militant commander killed in Swat | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online
Security forces killed key militant commander in Swat offensive. According to sources, on a tip-off forces launched a search operation in Shakardara area in Matta. Militant commander Sher Rehman Gujjar was killed during a clash between security forces and militants while others managed to flee.
Key militant commander killed in Swat | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online
SparklingCrescent
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B]Kabal elders pledge to cooperate with govt[/B]
MINGORA: Elders of Kabal tehsil in Swat on Saturday pledged to continue cooperation with the government in purging the area of militants.
Addressing a jirga in Kanju FC camp, the elders including Sher Shah Khan, Sher Afzal Khan, Saifullah Khan, Feroz Shah and others said they would not allow regrouping of militants and ready to render every sacrifice for maintaining peace in the area.
In his speech, in-charge operation in Kabal tehsil Brigadier Salman Akbar said that law and order situation had considerably improved in Swat. He lauded the elders for extending full cooperation to the security forces in their endeavours to bring a lasting peace to the erstwhile troubled district.
He said that 25 families were expelled from Kabal yesterday and more families would face action if found involved in acts of terrorism.
Property of all those found involved in terror acts will be confiscated, he vowed.
The official added that Ulema should play their role in creating awareness in their sermons against militants and terrorists.
The security forces and elders of the jirga also discussed ways and means as how to deal with the families whose members had committed acts of terrorism during the past.
Twenty-five families were banished from different areas of Kabal tehsil on Friday after deadline for handing over of militants expired.
The expelled families were accommodated in a camp set up in Palai area in Malakand Agency.
The families comprising 128 individuals mostly children, women and elderly people belonged to various areas of Kabal tehsil including Kanju Dherai, Dewlai and Koza Bandai.
MINGORA: Elders of Kabal tehsil in Swat on Saturday pledged to continue cooperation with the government in purging the area of militants.
Addressing a jirga in Kanju FC camp, the elders including Sher Shah Khan, Sher Afzal Khan, Saifullah Khan, Feroz Shah and others said they would not allow regrouping of militants and ready to render every sacrifice for maintaining peace in the area.
In his speech, in-charge operation in Kabal tehsil Brigadier Salman Akbar said that law and order situation had considerably improved in Swat. He lauded the elders for extending full cooperation to the security forces in their endeavours to bring a lasting peace to the erstwhile troubled district.
He said that 25 families were expelled from Kabal yesterday and more families would face action if found involved in acts of terrorism.
Property of all those found involved in terror acts will be confiscated, he vowed.
The official added that Ulema should play their role in creating awareness in their sermons against militants and terrorists.
The security forces and elders of the jirga also discussed ways and means as how to deal with the families whose members had committed acts of terrorism during the past.
Twenty-five families were banished from different areas of Kabal tehsil on Friday after deadline for handing over of militants expired.
The expelled families were accommodated in a camp set up in Palai area in Malakand Agency.
The families comprising 128 individuals mostly children, women and elderly people belonged to various areas of Kabal tehsil including Kanju Dherai, Dewlai and Koza Bandai.
ajpirzada
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Swatis believe Army will smoke out Taliban
Monday, May 24, 2010
By Delawar Jan
MINGORA: People in the troubled Swat Valley have a new-found confidence in the military and are convinced that it would smoke out the remnants of Taliban involved in target killings at a time when security forces neutralised a couple of militant groups and were hunting down others.
The trust serves as a shot in the arm for the military for which the job has still not finished in the valley. The security challenges are growing since the onset of the current year, as Taliban militants have managed to carry out suicide attacks and target killings.
Security forces are searching through the Valley to track down masterminds and perpetrators of such attacks, with the unflinching support of the population. The Operation Rah-e-Rast military offensive, launched in May 2009, and subsequent actions by security forces changed the perception of the people in their favour, though they say the pockets of Taliban still exist.
Veteran Awami National Party leader Afzal Khan Lala is also satisfied. “Weeding out is still to be done but the last operation was different from others in results.” Ziauddin Yousafzai, spokesman for the Swat Qaumi Jirga, said: “The process of Talibanisation has stopped now.”
The level of confidence is such that the people say the return of Taliban is now out of question. “There is no chance of Taliban’s regrouping and getting hold of Swat,” said Swat Hotel Association President Zahid Khan. Most of Swatis share Zahid Khan’s viewpoint.
Top leaders of the militants, including Maulana Fazlullah, the Taliban chief in Swat, are at large, but the people are convinced the military will not spare them. “Security forces are going after the militants following the recent target killings, which shows their resolve to eliminate them,” Ziauddin said.
Security forces late last month killed Pir Ihsanullah and Qari Abdullah, believed to be the masterminds of target killings and suicide attacks, respectively. They hunted down and killed several militants, including Commander Sher Gujjar, in parts of Kabal and Matta. The actions boosted people’s trust in the military and led them to believe the latter was unbending with regard to defeating the militants.
These actions are being carried out with full support of the population. “People tip off security forces about the presence of militants. They also take part in cordon-and-search operations, which shows their support for the Army,” said an administration officer, requesting anonymity.
People backed security forces in parts of Kabal on deadline to families of the militants to produce their absconding members or face expulsion from Swat. After the deadline expired on May 20, 25 families were banished from the valley. “These families were passing on information to the hiding militants,” the officer alleged.
The militants now find it difficult to infiltrate the population because they have no support in the people. In fact, the once terrified Swatis have now gathered courage. They and security forces have banded together to track down the hiding militants.
Planned or spontaneous, some other steps taken by security forces also narrowed the gap with the people. Till early this year, the residents said they felt insulted when brought out of homes and herded like animals in streets and bazaars. But it is not done now, residents said.
The aggressive attitude of security personnel was another issue. The people used to complain that respected persons were slapped and insulted publicly for minor faults, or no fault. Still the people complain of mistreatment during search operations and at checkpoints.
But they see some good developments. They have observed the behaviour of officers had been good but the soldiers were still not refined in dealing with civilians. Residents said they feel a sense of security to see soldiers deployed in streets and manning the checkpoints, as they have restored peace but then they fear of being insulted. “I know that several dozen soldiers have been taken to task for misbehaviour,” claimed a citizen, who did not want to be named.
People now find security forces relatively friendly as compared to the previous months. It made them believe that the Army has respect for the people, a feeling that befriended the population with the military. “A ‘be soft on the people and tough on the militants’ policy will earn more support for the Army,” they say. Analysts say the Swat operation raised the image of military both in Swat and abroad, but it needs to sustain the good reputation.
Swatis believe Army will smoke out Taliban
Monday, May 24, 2010
By Delawar Jan
MINGORA: People in the troubled Swat Valley have a new-found confidence in the military and are convinced that it would smoke out the remnants of Taliban involved in target killings at a time when security forces neutralised a couple of militant groups and were hunting down others.
The trust serves as a shot in the arm for the military for which the job has still not finished in the valley. The security challenges are growing since the onset of the current year, as Taliban militants have managed to carry out suicide attacks and target killings.
Security forces are searching through the Valley to track down masterminds and perpetrators of such attacks, with the unflinching support of the population. The Operation Rah-e-Rast military offensive, launched in May 2009, and subsequent actions by security forces changed the perception of the people in their favour, though they say the pockets of Taliban still exist.
Veteran Awami National Party leader Afzal Khan Lala is also satisfied. “Weeding out is still to be done but the last operation was different from others in results.” Ziauddin Yousafzai, spokesman for the Swat Qaumi Jirga, said: “The process of Talibanisation has stopped now.”
The level of confidence is such that the people say the return of Taliban is now out of question. “There is no chance of Taliban’s regrouping and getting hold of Swat,” said Swat Hotel Association President Zahid Khan. Most of Swatis share Zahid Khan’s viewpoint.
Top leaders of the militants, including Maulana Fazlullah, the Taliban chief in Swat, are at large, but the people are convinced the military will not spare them. “Security forces are going after the militants following the recent target killings, which shows their resolve to eliminate them,” Ziauddin said.
Security forces late last month killed Pir Ihsanullah and Qari Abdullah, believed to be the masterminds of target killings and suicide attacks, respectively. They hunted down and killed several militants, including Commander Sher Gujjar, in parts of Kabal and Matta. The actions boosted people’s trust in the military and led them to believe the latter was unbending with regard to defeating the militants.
These actions are being carried out with full support of the population. “People tip off security forces about the presence of militants. They also take part in cordon-and-search operations, which shows their support for the Army,” said an administration officer, requesting anonymity.
People backed security forces in parts of Kabal on deadline to families of the militants to produce their absconding members or face expulsion from Swat. After the deadline expired on May 20, 25 families were banished from the valley. “These families were passing on information to the hiding militants,” the officer alleged.
The militants now find it difficult to infiltrate the population because they have no support in the people. In fact, the once terrified Swatis have now gathered courage. They and security forces have banded together to track down the hiding militants.
Planned or spontaneous, some other steps taken by security forces also narrowed the gap with the people. Till early this year, the residents said they felt insulted when brought out of homes and herded like animals in streets and bazaars. But it is not done now, residents said.
The aggressive attitude of security personnel was another issue. The people used to complain that respected persons were slapped and insulted publicly for minor faults, or no fault. Still the people complain of mistreatment during search operations and at checkpoints.
But they see some good developments. They have observed the behaviour of officers had been good but the soldiers were still not refined in dealing with civilians. Residents said they feel a sense of security to see soldiers deployed in streets and manning the checkpoints, as they have restored peace but then they fear of being insulted. “I know that several dozen soldiers have been taken to task for misbehaviour,” claimed a citizen, who did not want to be named.
People now find security forces relatively friendly as compared to the previous months. It made them believe that the Army has respect for the people, a feeling that befriended the population with the military. “A ‘be soft on the people and tough on the militants’ policy will earn more support for the Army,” they say. Analysts say the Swat operation raised the image of military both in Swat and abroad, but it needs to sustain the good reputation.
Swatis believe Army will smoke out Taliban
SparklingCrescent
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Three militants killed in Swat clash
SWAT: Three militants including two commanders were killed in a clash between the security forces and the militants in Swat on Tuesday.
According to sources, security forces were conducting a search operation in Fatehpur area of Khuwaza Khela tehsil when militants opened fire on them.
In retaliatory fire, three militants including commanders Ali Rehman and Ilyas were killed.
Sources said that search operations were still going on in the area. — DawnNews
SWAT: Three militants including two commanders were killed in a clash between the security forces and the militants in Swat on Tuesday.
According to sources, security forces were conducting a search operation in Fatehpur area of Khuwaza Khela tehsil when militants opened fire on them.
In retaliatory fire, three militants including commanders Ali Rehman and Ilyas were killed.
Sources said that search operations were still going on in the area. — DawnNews
air marshal
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MINGORA: The troops killed two militants in Swat including key commander and they also arrested several suspects in a search operation in Kanju. - AFP
fatman17
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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Paradise Regained: Swat One Year On
By Reza Jan
May 25, 2010
The author was in Swat District during April and May 2010, interviewing police and military commanders, touring the area, and speaking with local people.
MINGORA: May 5, 2010 marked the one-year anniversary of the start of the Pakistani military operation to push Taliban militants out of the country’s Swat valley. One year on, a spate of militant attacks are causing some to question the long-term success of Operation Rah-e Rast.[1] A look at the region reveals that such fears are likely premature, and that conditions on the ground would make a Taliban resurgence difficult. The road back to normalcy in Swat, however, is not without its problems.
Key Points:
One year on, the Pakistani army has largely broken the Taliban’s hold and regained control of the Swat valley.
Rapid repatriation of IDPs and active support of the population has resulted in a high degree of local and national public support for the army. The resultant increase in human intelligence in Swat has proved critical in dismantling Taliban networks and preventing their resurgence.
Despite military and security successes, much of the rebuilding and compensation process remains incomplete and underfunded; it is progressing only very slowly.
While incidents of violence will continue to occur, the Taliban will not likely be able to regain the hold it had over Swat from 2007-9.
Disturbing the Peace: Recent Incidents of Violence
Rare incidents of violence in the scenic Swat valley have punctuated the past few weeks. The region has been largely peaceful following the conclusion of military operations in Swat and the Taliban have been unable to exert the control they exercised in the past. However, during April, seven people were reportedly assassinated in incidents of “target killings,” as they are known in Pakistan. Those killed were largely members of “village defense committees,” organizations created by locals in towns and villages to oppose the Taliban and cooperate with security forces in rooting out militants and their supporters.[2] A suicide bomber managed to detonate his vest in a separate incident, killing three people in Mingora, the district headquarters, on May 1.
This recent spate of attacks has led some media observers to conclude that the Pakistani Taliban have returned and that peace has vanished from Swat once again. The details behind these incidents, however, and the general situation on the ground do not provide evidence of a militant resurgence.
A small firefight broke out in and around a house in Kanju, a town not far from Mingora, as the army had located the perpetrators of the “target killings”. The four militants killed were people known to have carried out similar assassinations, according to local journalists. One militant, Pir Ehsanur Rehman, reputedly built suicide bombs.[3]
The information leading to the discovery of the militants’ location came from tips provided by locals—a significant shift in local attitudes toward militancy. Militants previously killed anyone suspected of giving information to the authorities, particularly during the period prior to the start of military operations when the Taliban held sway. Most of the military’s information about the militants has come from local human intelligence networks since the defeat of the Taliban, according to Pakistani military officers.[4]
Local human intelligence also played a role in the response to the May 1 suicide bombing in Mingora. Local residents alerted the military to the presence of several suicide bombers in the city, allowing the authorities to trail and arrest one of the bombers prior to the planned attack. [5] Security forces then shut down the market where other bombers were suspected to be hiding and cleared civilians off Mingora’s streets. The military killed two more militants during a search operation and one of the bombers detonated a suicide vest, killing three people and producing the headlines that have led some to question the resiliency of peace in Swat.[6] The death toll, however, could have been much higher had the military not intercepted the bombers prior to their planned operation and reduced civilian casualties by clearing the streets, says Lt. Col. Akhtar Abbas, the army’s spokesman in Swat. [7]
The curfew imposed in the city following the attack ended within an hour. Soon after, shops opened, residents crowded markets, and life resumed as normal.[8] A bombing in the city four or five months ago would lead to an immediate and extended city-wide curfew and life would grind to a halt, according to local sources.[9]
Security Presence in Mingora and Police Force Reconstruction
Security in the city remains tight nevertheless. Security forces continue to maintain checkpoints and it is rare to see any populated areas or roads that are not being patrolled or watched by the army, the police, or the Community Police, a unit created after the Swat operation to involve locals in the provision of security and bolster the undermanned district police.[10] Locals say they are sometimes inconvenienced by the heavy security force presence, but recognize that they exist for their own protection. Even so, there are far fewer checkpoints today than there were a few months ago and residents are now able to travel much more freely.[11]
The army seems to recognize, nevertheless, that it cannot maintain its current posture indefinitely. It has started to withdraw somewhat from more visible positions like checkpoints; police and local law-enforcement are increasingly filling that role. The army is gradually becoming more involved in conducting oversight in place of active involvement in security efforts.
The reconstruction of the Swat police has made this increasingly possible. At the start of the Swat operation in May 2009, over 800 policemen had deserted their posts. The local law-enforcement mechanism was badly damaged.[12] The Taliban threatened to kill policemen or their family members if they did not cease working; many complied with the threat. Since then the police force is successfully reconstituting itself. There are over 3,000 policemen in the district today, as well as over 3,200 local Community Police officers and over 800 members of the police’s Elite Force, made up of ex-soldiers.[13] The District Police Officer, Qazi Ghulam Farooq, said:
Initially we were worried about recruitment numbers, and were planning on advertising a recruitment drive for over a thousand slots in the whole of Malakand Division [comprising seven districts including Swat]. Thankfully, however, there was great enthusiasm for joining up and all the positions ended up being filled by Swatis.[14]
Swat’s Most Wanted
Most residents of Swat agree that security has improved markedly over time.[15] Major General Ashfaq Nadeem, the commander of the 37th Infantry Division responsible for lower Swat, says he defines strategic victory in Swat as a “long-lasting, sustainable peace.”[16] Lt. Col. Abbas concedes that incidents such as the recent assassinations or suicide bombing may continue to occur, but that they remain singular, unorganized incidents. “The Taliban can never return in the same manner as they once did.”[17]
The military is continuing to work to make sure that is the case. High-profile operations in Swat are now rare, but military officers say they continue to seek intelligence to locate and act against remaining Taliban militants and their supporters, using the local intelligence networks described above.[18]
The small size of most communities outside of the few large cities in Swat and the high level of confidence locals have so far displayed in cooperating with the army makes it unlikely that organized resistance could take root in populated areas unbeknownst to locals, and hence the military. The village defense committees, which the locals organized and the military supported to root out the Taliban, have aggressively sought to find out and inform on suspected militants in their own communities. They have often resorted to punishing suspected militants themselves rather than turning them over to the authorities. This vigilante justice does, according to local committee members, deter a Taliban return, but its continued employment will raise significant concerns and hamper the ability of governmental security and judicial infrastructure to take firm root in Swat.[19]
This aggressive pursuit of Swat-based militants extends beyond Swat, as far away as Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. Military sources say they are trying to ensure that militants who continue to hide in Swat or have escaped the region altogether cannot resume their activities.[20] Pakistani newspapers frequently report the arrests of Swat-based Taliban all over the country; it is likely that the extended informant networks created in Swat have an important role to play in these arrests. On May 3, the military announced that anyone involved in militancy in Swat had until May 5 to turn themselves in or their houses would be destroyed and their families expelled from Swat and its surrounding districts.[21] Some militants have turned themselves in while many others have already had their houses destroyed.[22]
Rebuilding Swat
Locals take a more mixed view of reconstruction and rehabilitation. Over 2.5 million people fled the fighting in the district in a matter of days following the launch of Operation Rah e Rast in May 2009. Many walked dozens of miles on foot and through difficult terrain in order to reach safety, as preparations for the exodus had proven grossly inadequate.[23]
By the end of May 2009, over 170,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) were housed in camps and schools run by the government and international NGOs in Mardan, Swabi, and other neighboring districts in the Northwest Frontier Province (or NWFP, known now as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa). The vast majority of the 2.5 million registered IDPs stayed with host families, relatives, or in rented homes. Government-allotted funds, international donations and support from Pakistanis across the rest of country funded the aid needs of the displaced, including some of the costs for those who stayed outside government-run camps.[24]
The army began declaring parts of the district safe for people to return to starting in mid-July 2009. Between 93 and 96 percent of those displaced from Swat have now returned home, but much of the destruction remains.[25] Over 400 schools, and almost 8,500 houses, shops and hotels were either partially damaged or completely destroyed during the period of Taliban control as well as during the subsequent fighting between militants and security forces,, according to numbers provided by the military Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR).[26]
The army initially took the lead in much of the reconstruction. It helped to renovate or rebuild a number of schools, clinics, bridges, mosques and roads, among other projects. [27] Repair work on over 200 schools has yet to begin, however, and several police stations still lie in rubble.[28] The army says it has completed a survey in conjunction with the local government to provide reimbursement to individuals whose homes or businesses were destroyed during the fighting, but few people have been thus far received compensation.[29] Large-scale reconstruction in Swat has yet to occur, according to a local journalist.[30]
Both the military and the government attribute the delayed reconstruction to a lack of funding.[31] Compensation for private individuals alone requires over $17.5 million (Rs 1.5 billion). This does not include those who require compensation for losses of family members.[32] One local official complained that international NGOs could provide immediate relief aid but few had the financial support to conduct the long-term reconstruction that is required. “They are producing beggars…people now expect handouts,” the official protested, stating that the NGOs tended to focus on short impact projects and, once the money ran out, there was nothing left for long-term development.[33]
The army is aware of the danger of these shortcomings. According to Major General Asfhaq Nadeem, soon after the operation “the prestige of the army was at its peak;” however, he says, “we know that this will not last” unless the pace of development, the effectiveness of government administration, and the delivery of compensation speeds up.[34]
Conclusion—The Search for Normalcy
The hold of the Taliban in Swat has been broken, the army continues to remain popular, and, for most people, life appears to be returning to ‘normal’. Yet, as long as two whole divisions worth of soldiers are required to maintain public confidence in security, the situation cannot be wholly normal. Security has improved remarkably and the local administration appears to be reappearing, albeit slowly. The broken judicial system was a primary grievance for many Swat residents that allowed the Taliban’s calls for Shari’a courts to gain public traction; while the system is far from fixed, cases are being heard and ruled on faster than under the regular judicial system, prior to the implementation of Shari’a law in April 2009. New guidelines limiting case durations have, in some magistracies, seen backlogs of thousands of cases halved in a matter of months, according to one local magistrate.[35]
The Achilles heel for peace in Swat appears to be reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. Governmental inefficiency at the provincial level and a dire lack of funds could eventually undercut public support for government efforts in Swat.
Attacks like those seen in previous weeks shake public confidence but they were not the first since the conclusion of major operations in Swat, and they are unlikely to be the last. The security trends in Swat on the whole continue to be positive. For the moment there now appears to exist an acceptable level of security, which allows people to lead near-normal lives.
By Reza Jan
May 25, 2010
The author was in Swat District during April and May 2010, interviewing police and military commanders, touring the area, and speaking with local people.
MINGORA: May 5, 2010 marked the one-year anniversary of the start of the Pakistani military operation to push Taliban militants out of the country’s Swat valley. One year on, a spate of militant attacks are causing some to question the long-term success of Operation Rah-e Rast.[1] A look at the region reveals that such fears are likely premature, and that conditions on the ground would make a Taliban resurgence difficult. The road back to normalcy in Swat, however, is not without its problems.
Key Points:
One year on, the Pakistani army has largely broken the Taliban’s hold and regained control of the Swat valley.
Rapid repatriation of IDPs and active support of the population has resulted in a high degree of local and national public support for the army. The resultant increase in human intelligence in Swat has proved critical in dismantling Taliban networks and preventing their resurgence.
Despite military and security successes, much of the rebuilding and compensation process remains incomplete and underfunded; it is progressing only very slowly.
While incidents of violence will continue to occur, the Taliban will not likely be able to regain the hold it had over Swat from 2007-9.
Disturbing the Peace: Recent Incidents of Violence
Rare incidents of violence in the scenic Swat valley have punctuated the past few weeks. The region has been largely peaceful following the conclusion of military operations in Swat and the Taliban have been unable to exert the control they exercised in the past. However, during April, seven people were reportedly assassinated in incidents of “target killings,” as they are known in Pakistan. Those killed were largely members of “village defense committees,” organizations created by locals in towns and villages to oppose the Taliban and cooperate with security forces in rooting out militants and their supporters.[2] A suicide bomber managed to detonate his vest in a separate incident, killing three people in Mingora, the district headquarters, on May 1.
This recent spate of attacks has led some media observers to conclude that the Pakistani Taliban have returned and that peace has vanished from Swat once again. The details behind these incidents, however, and the general situation on the ground do not provide evidence of a militant resurgence.
A small firefight broke out in and around a house in Kanju, a town not far from Mingora, as the army had located the perpetrators of the “target killings”. The four militants killed were people known to have carried out similar assassinations, according to local journalists. One militant, Pir Ehsanur Rehman, reputedly built suicide bombs.[3]
The information leading to the discovery of the militants’ location came from tips provided by locals—a significant shift in local attitudes toward militancy. Militants previously killed anyone suspected of giving information to the authorities, particularly during the period prior to the start of military operations when the Taliban held sway. Most of the military’s information about the militants has come from local human intelligence networks since the defeat of the Taliban, according to Pakistani military officers.[4]
Local human intelligence also played a role in the response to the May 1 suicide bombing in Mingora. Local residents alerted the military to the presence of several suicide bombers in the city, allowing the authorities to trail and arrest one of the bombers prior to the planned attack. [5] Security forces then shut down the market where other bombers were suspected to be hiding and cleared civilians off Mingora’s streets. The military killed two more militants during a search operation and one of the bombers detonated a suicide vest, killing three people and producing the headlines that have led some to question the resiliency of peace in Swat.[6] The death toll, however, could have been much higher had the military not intercepted the bombers prior to their planned operation and reduced civilian casualties by clearing the streets, says Lt. Col. Akhtar Abbas, the army’s spokesman in Swat. [7]
The curfew imposed in the city following the attack ended within an hour. Soon after, shops opened, residents crowded markets, and life resumed as normal.[8] A bombing in the city four or five months ago would lead to an immediate and extended city-wide curfew and life would grind to a halt, according to local sources.[9]
Security Presence in Mingora and Police Force Reconstruction
Security in the city remains tight nevertheless. Security forces continue to maintain checkpoints and it is rare to see any populated areas or roads that are not being patrolled or watched by the army, the police, or the Community Police, a unit created after the Swat operation to involve locals in the provision of security and bolster the undermanned district police.[10] Locals say they are sometimes inconvenienced by the heavy security force presence, but recognize that they exist for their own protection. Even so, there are far fewer checkpoints today than there were a few months ago and residents are now able to travel much more freely.[11]
The army seems to recognize, nevertheless, that it cannot maintain its current posture indefinitely. It has started to withdraw somewhat from more visible positions like checkpoints; police and local law-enforcement are increasingly filling that role. The army is gradually becoming more involved in conducting oversight in place of active involvement in security efforts.
The reconstruction of the Swat police has made this increasingly possible. At the start of the Swat operation in May 2009, over 800 policemen had deserted their posts. The local law-enforcement mechanism was badly damaged.[12] The Taliban threatened to kill policemen or their family members if they did not cease working; many complied with the threat. Since then the police force is successfully reconstituting itself. There are over 3,000 policemen in the district today, as well as over 3,200 local Community Police officers and over 800 members of the police’s Elite Force, made up of ex-soldiers.[13] The District Police Officer, Qazi Ghulam Farooq, said:
Initially we were worried about recruitment numbers, and were planning on advertising a recruitment drive for over a thousand slots in the whole of Malakand Division [comprising seven districts including Swat]. Thankfully, however, there was great enthusiasm for joining up and all the positions ended up being filled by Swatis.[14]
Swat’s Most Wanted
Most residents of Swat agree that security has improved markedly over time.[15] Major General Ashfaq Nadeem, the commander of the 37th Infantry Division responsible for lower Swat, says he defines strategic victory in Swat as a “long-lasting, sustainable peace.”[16] Lt. Col. Abbas concedes that incidents such as the recent assassinations or suicide bombing may continue to occur, but that they remain singular, unorganized incidents. “The Taliban can never return in the same manner as they once did.”[17]
The military is continuing to work to make sure that is the case. High-profile operations in Swat are now rare, but military officers say they continue to seek intelligence to locate and act against remaining Taliban militants and their supporters, using the local intelligence networks described above.[18]
The small size of most communities outside of the few large cities in Swat and the high level of confidence locals have so far displayed in cooperating with the army makes it unlikely that organized resistance could take root in populated areas unbeknownst to locals, and hence the military. The village defense committees, which the locals organized and the military supported to root out the Taliban, have aggressively sought to find out and inform on suspected militants in their own communities. They have often resorted to punishing suspected militants themselves rather than turning them over to the authorities. This vigilante justice does, according to local committee members, deter a Taliban return, but its continued employment will raise significant concerns and hamper the ability of governmental security and judicial infrastructure to take firm root in Swat.[19]
This aggressive pursuit of Swat-based militants extends beyond Swat, as far away as Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. Military sources say they are trying to ensure that militants who continue to hide in Swat or have escaped the region altogether cannot resume their activities.[20] Pakistani newspapers frequently report the arrests of Swat-based Taliban all over the country; it is likely that the extended informant networks created in Swat have an important role to play in these arrests. On May 3, the military announced that anyone involved in militancy in Swat had until May 5 to turn themselves in or their houses would be destroyed and their families expelled from Swat and its surrounding districts.[21] Some militants have turned themselves in while many others have already had their houses destroyed.[22]
Rebuilding Swat
Locals take a more mixed view of reconstruction and rehabilitation. Over 2.5 million people fled the fighting in the district in a matter of days following the launch of Operation Rah e Rast in May 2009. Many walked dozens of miles on foot and through difficult terrain in order to reach safety, as preparations for the exodus had proven grossly inadequate.[23]
By the end of May 2009, over 170,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) were housed in camps and schools run by the government and international NGOs in Mardan, Swabi, and other neighboring districts in the Northwest Frontier Province (or NWFP, known now as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa). The vast majority of the 2.5 million registered IDPs stayed with host families, relatives, or in rented homes. Government-allotted funds, international donations and support from Pakistanis across the rest of country funded the aid needs of the displaced, including some of the costs for those who stayed outside government-run camps.[24]
The army began declaring parts of the district safe for people to return to starting in mid-July 2009. Between 93 and 96 percent of those displaced from Swat have now returned home, but much of the destruction remains.[25] Over 400 schools, and almost 8,500 houses, shops and hotels were either partially damaged or completely destroyed during the period of Taliban control as well as during the subsequent fighting between militants and security forces,, according to numbers provided by the military Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR).[26]
The army initially took the lead in much of the reconstruction. It helped to renovate or rebuild a number of schools, clinics, bridges, mosques and roads, among other projects. [27] Repair work on over 200 schools has yet to begin, however, and several police stations still lie in rubble.[28] The army says it has completed a survey in conjunction with the local government to provide reimbursement to individuals whose homes or businesses were destroyed during the fighting, but few people have been thus far received compensation.[29] Large-scale reconstruction in Swat has yet to occur, according to a local journalist.[30]
Both the military and the government attribute the delayed reconstruction to a lack of funding.[31] Compensation for private individuals alone requires over $17.5 million (Rs 1.5 billion). This does not include those who require compensation for losses of family members.[32] One local official complained that international NGOs could provide immediate relief aid but few had the financial support to conduct the long-term reconstruction that is required. “They are producing beggars…people now expect handouts,” the official protested, stating that the NGOs tended to focus on short impact projects and, once the money ran out, there was nothing left for long-term development.[33]
The army is aware of the danger of these shortcomings. According to Major General Asfhaq Nadeem, soon after the operation “the prestige of the army was at its peak;” however, he says, “we know that this will not last” unless the pace of development, the effectiveness of government administration, and the delivery of compensation speeds up.[34]
Conclusion—The Search for Normalcy
The hold of the Taliban in Swat has been broken, the army continues to remain popular, and, for most people, life appears to be returning to ‘normal’. Yet, as long as two whole divisions worth of soldiers are required to maintain public confidence in security, the situation cannot be wholly normal. Security has improved remarkably and the local administration appears to be reappearing, albeit slowly. The broken judicial system was a primary grievance for many Swat residents that allowed the Taliban’s calls for Shari’a courts to gain public traction; while the system is far from fixed, cases are being heard and ruled on faster than under the regular judicial system, prior to the implementation of Shari’a law in April 2009. New guidelines limiting case durations have, in some magistracies, seen backlogs of thousands of cases halved in a matter of months, according to one local magistrate.[35]
The Achilles heel for peace in Swat appears to be reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. Governmental inefficiency at the provincial level and a dire lack of funds could eventually undercut public support for government efforts in Swat.
Attacks like those seen in previous weeks shake public confidence but they were not the first since the conclusion of major operations in Swat, and they are unlikely to be the last. The security trends in Swat on the whole continue to be positive. For the moment there now appears to exist an acceptable level of security, which allows people to lead near-normal lives.
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Australian General lauds Pak Armys successful operation in Swat
SWAT May 26 (APP): Chief of Australian Army, Lieutenant General Kenneth James Gillespie here Wednesday visited Mingora Circuit House and highly lauded the successful military operation of Pakistan Army against militants in Swat.
Corps Commander, Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik was accompanied with the Australian Army Chief. He was received by Incharge Operation Rah-e-Rast, Major General Asfhaq Nadeem upon reaching at Circuit House Mingora. Senior military officials were also present on this occasion.
Major General Asfhaq Nadeem briefed the Australian General about the successful military operation that established peace in militancy-hit Swat valley and ongoing developmental works. The Australian Army Chief expressed satisfaction over successful operation in Swat and held the sacrifices of Pakistan Army in high esteem.
SWAT May 26 (APP): Chief of Australian Army, Lieutenant General Kenneth James Gillespie here Wednesday visited Mingora Circuit House and highly lauded the successful military operation of Pakistan Army against militants in Swat.
Corps Commander, Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik was accompanied with the Australian Army Chief. He was received by Incharge Operation Rah-e-Rast, Major General Asfhaq Nadeem upon reaching at Circuit House Mingora. Senior military officials were also present on this occasion.
Major General Asfhaq Nadeem briefed the Australian General about the successful military operation that established peace in militancy-hit Swat valley and ongoing developmental works. The Australian Army Chief expressed satisfaction over successful operation in Swat and held the sacrifices of Pakistan Army in high esteem.
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